Question: My husband and I are planning for our next car purchase — a late model used car. We are able to pay cash for the car, but are wondering if it would be better for our credit score if we got a car loan and then paid it off within a couple of months. Our only other debt at the moment is our mortgage. We’d like the satisfaction of paying cash for the car, but don’t want to pass up the opportunity to help our credit score. What would you recommend? Tracy. Palatine, IL

Answer: I would pay cash for the car. My guess is that you already have a good credit history and score by making your mortgage payments on time. Credit scores matter, but it shouldn’t get in the way of sound money management.